Maximilian Kilman has said West Ham are “a massive club” after completing a £40m move from Wolves and signing a seven-year contract.
The move means that the 27-year-old centre-half is reunited with Julen Lopetegui following the Spaniard’s spell at Molineux last season. The Hammers had a £25m bid rejected earlier in the summer but returned with a higher offer.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a West Ham United player,” Kilman told the club website. “As soon as I was aware of the interest from the club, it was an opportunity I was keen to pursue, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be here.
“I really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves - he’s a top-class coach and someone I learned a lot from, and I am confident I will continue to improve as a player under his management here. West Ham is a massive club and I feel this is the natural next step forward in my career.”
Kilman, who underwent a successful medical on Friday, leaves Wolves just 12 months after signing a new long-term deal. He was at Molineux for six years, making 151 appearances in all competitions, after costing Wolves £40,000 from Maidenhead. The Wolves sporting director, Matt Hobbs, said: “It’s bittersweet for me, having brought Max in, but it feels like a deal which works for everybody.
Quick GuideMaidenhead to benefit from sell-on clause from Kilman deal
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Maidenhead United have claimed they are in line to receive a potentially record transfer sum for an English non-league club, relating to the sell-on clause they agreed with Wolves for the transfer of Max Kilman in 2018.
Maidenhead sold Kilman to Wolves for just £40,000 but negotiated a clause in which they would make a share of any future transfer fee. This is reported to be 10%, which would give the club £4m from Kilman's £40m move from Wolves to West Ham.
"This is a fantastic outcome for club which will benefit from one of the largest, if not the largest, transfer payments an English non league club has ever received, which is something to celebrate", said Maidenhead chairman Peter Griffin. "This is testament to the hard work of Alan Devonshire and his coaching team past and present, as well our academy programme which every year is developing players which move into our first-team squad.
"This is a momentous day for Maidenhead United FC, which gives us the opportunity to profoundly change the future of the club. A supporters meeting will be held in due course to give more details on how the cash injection will be used on and off the pitch".
“We’re getting a good fee and unbelievable return on investment, West Ham are getting a homegrown left-sided centre-back and it’s a good story for Maidenhead. While it was tough, it also allows Max to get closer to his family in London.
“It’s one we talked about a lot. It felt like the right thing for everybody. It enables us to look at the market and enables someone else to become a leader. It could be that someone here steps up or we go into the market with these funds. It’s exciting what we can do, and we’d be looking to bring someone in who move us forward. Although it’s tough, it creates opportunities and that’s always exciting.”
Leicester have announced the signing of Bobby De Cordova-Reid from Fulham on a three-year deal. The winger began his career with Bristol City and, following a loan spell, he made the permanent move to Craven Cottage in January 2020 and went on to appear 209 times for Fulham.
“Turning up here was a special moment, looking around and seeing the infrastructure,” he told the club website. “It’s got that wow factor. It feels nice. I’m delighted to be here and I can’t wait to get going. I had a good chat with the manager, he told me the vision of the club. I spoke to him a few times and he was very clear in what he wanted and what he saw in me. He believes in me and it’s a perfect fit for me.”
Luton have made former Brentford midfielder Shandon Baptiste their first summer signing. The 26-year-old has linked up with the Championship side following his departure from Brentford. “I feel like Luton is the right place for me,” he said. “Watching the club play last season, it was clear that something big was happening here and I want to be a part of it.